Laura Schauss, Director of Finance & Operations
Laura’s 30 years of experience in the natural products industry began with her sales position at the Natural Products Store, now known as Marlene’s Market & Deli, a two-time national winner of “Store of the Year” in its respective category.
Laura’s success in natural products sales attracted the attention of major national dietary supplement manufacturers. She was offered a sales position by KAL, at that time a leading U.S. dietary supplement manufacturer, and relocated to Boston. Laura so quickly and successfully built KAL’s New England territory that she was soon offered a promotion to Product Training Manager for the Naturally, Inc.
Over many years of attending natural product trade shows, Laura always made a point of attending presentations given by AIBMR Life Sciences staff. Inspired by AIBMR Life Sciences research, she applied to work for AIBMR Life Sciences and was hired in 1984 by its publications division, which included Biosocial Publications and the award-winning Life Sciences Press and eventually became the Director of Publishing. During her tenure, she was responsible for the timely publication of a quarterly, peer-reviewed scientific journal as well as many other research publications. Additionally, Laura managed Tacoma Printing Company, AIBMR’s printing division, and established accounts with major book distributors throughout North America.
From 1991 to 1995, Laura was the Operations Director for two national non-profit organizations, Citizens For Health (CHF) and the American Preventive Medical Association (APMA). Her responsibilities included office and human resources management, as well as editorial management of the organizations’ membership newsletters. In 1994, CHF achieved national recognition by winning the “Award of Excellence in Government Relations”, a Federal lobbying award given by the 25,000-member American Society of Association Executives in recognition of its role in successfully organizing national grass roots support for the hotly-contested Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, which eventually passed and become law. Laura also worked with APMA to introduce the Access to Medical Freedom Act in Congress, and her leadership was recognized and awarded by the natural products industry.
In 1995, Laura became Operations Director of AIBMR’S Life Sciences Division and after three years was promoted to Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operations Officer. In these roles, Laura provides overall leadership for AIBMR’s finance department and is a key member of the company’s leadership team.